A man arrested for panhandling near the intersection of 30th Avenue and North Lumpkin Road Thursday morning was later charged with cocaine possession, according to a Columbus Police Department report.

Police arrested Jamil Shakoor, 29, at about 9:15 a.m. after receiving reports of a panhandler near the Big Cat service station. After charging Shakoor with loitering, police discovered he was in possession of cocaine.

Officers told court officials that Shakoor was asking parents who were taking small children to school for money while they passed by, and that several residents and businesses in the area had complained about the activity.

During a 9 a.m. hearing, Shakoor told the court he was asking for money to help him find a job.

"I was out there trying to get money so I could go to a training program and get a job and not go into jail anymore," he said.